Author
Topic: Major/Degree (Read 3310 times)

I'm 16 years old and want to be a strength and conditioning coach for athletes when I grow up. I'm learning a shit load right now, and am currently helping out some of my friends with performance and nutritional tips as well as working on my own performance.

My own advice would be to to head towards a Bachelor of Science-->physiology/nutrition major, or a degree in Physiotherapy, and consider postgraduate research in exercise science. I think that good trainers know how the human body functions both physiologically and nutritionally, and also have a good scientific approach to training. You'd wanna be getting some work experience at your college's gym or local gym during your degree as well. Can't recommend a specific school, but I'm sure there's plenty to choose from.

You don't need to have a degree to be a coach / trainer. Especially not in the fields mentioned in this thread so far. The majority of things you will need to know about you will likely not learn in college / university studying exercise science anyways. Getting a degree is not a bad idea in general though. But you might be better off making a business major and learn training related things in your free time through learning from great coaches, reading, asking questions and collecting experience in the weight room / on the track. Compete in a sport as well if you do not already. Get an idea what exactly it is that you want to do as well and get a plan how to accomplish those goals. This includes financial aspects of this endeavor as well. Talk to people who have been down this road and get an idea of what this is about. There are plenty of good coaches on the internet offering Q&A and you might ask for specific advice there as well. Just don't be naive thinking that a degree in Exercise Science is going to give you the job you wish for OR make you a great coach.

You don't need to have a degree to be a coach / trainer. Especially not in the fields mentioned in this thread so far. The majority of things you will need to know about you will likely not learn in college / university studying exercise science anyways. Getting a degree is not a bad idea in general though. But you might be better off making a business major and learn training related things in your free time through learning from great coaches, reading, asking questions and collecting experience in the weight room / on the track. Compete in a sport as well if you do not already. Get an idea what exactly it is that you want to do as well and get a plan how to accomplish those goals. This includes financial aspects of this endeavor as well. Talk to people who have been down this road and get an idea of what this is about. There are plenty of good coaches on the internet offering Q&A and you might ask for specific advice there as well. Just don't be naive thinking that a degree in Exercise Science is going to give you the job you wish for OR make you a great coach.

I get you, I just figured if I'm going to go to college, I might as well major in something that interests me, that's all. By no means did I mean it will automatically give me a job, I know that. I totally get you though, thank you for the feedback!

You don't need to have a degree to be a coach / trainer. Especially not in the fields mentioned in this thread so far. The majority of things you will need to know about you will likely not learn in college / university studying exercise science anyways. Getting a degree is not a bad idea in general though. But you might be better off making a business major and learn training related things in your free time through learning from great coaches, reading, asking questions and collecting experience in the weight room / on the track. Compete in a sport as well if you do not already. Get an idea what exactly it is that you want to do as well and get a plan how to accomplish those goals. This includes financial aspects of this endeavor as well. Talk to people who have been down this road and get an idea of what this is about. There are plenty of good coaches on the internet offering Q&A and you might ask for specific advice there as well. Just don't be naive thinking that a degree in Exercise Science is going to give you the job you wish for OR make you a great coach.

I get you, I just figured if I'm going to go to college, I might as well major in something that interests me, that's all. By no means did I mean it will automatically give me a job, I know that. I totally get you though, thank you for the feedback!

I can understand that you want to study something that you are interested in and in general I would encourage that. But I would advise you to go ahead and listen to some lectures in uni or college before committing to this. That way you can form an opinion whether this might be useful and interests you after all. Good luck with everything!

You don't need to have a degree to be a coach / trainer. Especially not in the fields mentioned in this thread so far. The majority of things you will need to know about you will likely not learn in college / university studying exercise science anyways. Getting a degree is not a bad idea in general though. But you might be better off making a business major and learn training related things in your free time through learning from great coaches, reading, asking questions and collecting experience in the weight room / on the track. Compete in a sport as well if you do not already. Get an idea what exactly it is that you want to do as well and get a plan how to accomplish those goals. This includes financial aspects of this endeavor as well. Talk to people who have been down this road and get an idea of what this is about. There are plenty of good coaches on the internet offering Q&A and you might ask for specific advice there as well. Just don't be naive thinking that a degree in Exercise Science is going to give you the job you wish for OR make you a great coach.

I get you, I just figured if I'm going to go to college, I might as well major in something that interests me, that's all. By no means did I mean it will automatically give me a job, I know that. I totally get you though, thank you for the feedback!

I can understand that you want to study something that you are interested in and in general I would encourage that. But I would advise you to go ahead and listen to some lectures in uni or college before committing to this. That way you can form an opinion whether this might be useful and interests you after all. Good luck with everything!